Thermodynamic and Economic Analyses of a New Waste-To-Energy System Incorporated with a Biomass-Fired Power Plant

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Thermodynamic and Economic Analyses of a New Waste-To-Energy System Incorporated with a Biomass-Fired Power Plant energies Article Thermodynamic and Economic Analyses of a New Waste-to-Energy System Incorporated with a Biomass-Fired Power Plant Peiyuan Pan 1, Meiyan Zhang 1, Gang Xu 1,*, Heng Chen 1,* , Xiaona Song 2 and Tong Liu 1 1 Beijing Key Laboratory of Emission Surveillance and Control for Thermal Power Generation, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China; [email protected] (P.P.); [email protected] (M.Z.); [email protected] (T.L.) 2 Electrical and Mechanical Practice Center, Beijing Information Science & Technology University, Beijing 100192, China; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] (G.X.); [email protected] (H.C.); Tel.: +86-(10)-6177-2472 (G.X.); +86-(10)-6177-2284 (H.C.) Received: 7 July 2020; Accepted: 20 August 2020; Published: 22 August 2020 Abstract: A novel design has been developed to improve the waste-to-energy process through the integration with a biomass-fired power plant. In the proposed scheme, the superheated steam generated by the waste-to-energy boiler is fed into the low-pressure turbine of the biomass power section for power production. Besides, the feedwater from the biomass power section is utilized to warm the combustion air of the waste-to-energy boiler, and the feedwater of the waste-to-energy boiler is offered by the biomass power section. Based on a 35-MW biomass-fired power plant and a 500-t/d waste-to-energy plant, the integrated design was thermodynamically and economically assessed. The results indicate that the net power generated from waste can be enhanced by 0.66 MW due to the proposed solution, and the waste-to-electricity efficiency increases from 20.49% to 22.12%. Moreover, the net present value of the waste-to-energy section is raised by 5.02 million USD, and the dynamic payback period is cut down by 2.81 years. Energy and exergy analyses were conducted to reveal the inherent mechanism of performance enhancement. Besides, a sensitivity investigation was undertaken to examine the performance of the new design under various conditions. The insights gained from this study may be of assistance to the advancement of waste-to-energy technology. Keywords: waste-to-energy; biomass-fired power generation; steam cycle integration; performance improvement; performance evaluation 1. Introduction Under the stress of energy shortage, global warming, and environmental pollution, the utilization of renewable energy sources has drawn much attention worldwide [1,2]. Biomass is renewable and can be extensively obtained in numerous forms and types [3]. Biomass resources include forestry, agricultural crops and residues, animal residues, industrial waste and residues, municipal solid waste (MSW), sewage, etc. [4]. Typically, biomass can be processed in several approaches, such as combustion, gasification, pyrolysis, liquefaction, torrefaction, steam explosion, hydrothermal carbonization, and anaerobic digestion [5]. Final products derived from biomass involve heat, power, and/or fuel for further usage [6]. Currently, among all thermochemical methods, direct combustion is the most broadly adopted for biomass conversion, which accounts for above 97% of the biomass utilization as energy production globally [4]. Biomass direct combustion is a dominating bioenergy technology for power generation, and it has great compatibility with traditional thermal power production [7]. It is predicted that biomass Energies 2020, 13, 4345; doi:10.3390/en13174345 www.mdpi.com/journal/energies Energies 2020, 13, 4345 2 of 20 power will exceed 15% of the overall electricity supply in industrial countries by the end of 2020 [8]. Biomass power generation has a carbon neutralization effect, and regular biomass contains less sulfur and nitrogen than fossil fuels; thereby, biomass power generation can conduce to the reduction of emissions [9]. Wood and straw are relatively attractive feedstocks for biomass power generation, and agricultural waste products (rice husks, wheat bran, peanut shells, etc.) are usually burned as well [10]. On the other hand, MSW as a biomass source is characterized by higher moisture and volatile matter contents, higher O/C ratio, lower calorific value, poorer grindability, and greater concentrations of alkali or toxic metals in the ashes, as compared to wood/straw, which increases the difficulties in transportation and storage, handling and feeding of materials, flame stability, energy conversion, and plant availability [11]. Hence, the cofiring of MSW and high-quality biomass is hard and probably not beneficial. At present, waste-to-energy (WtE) incineration is a popular method for waste management, due to its features of dramatical MSW volume reduction and affordable costs for heat/electricity generation, especially for developing countries [12]. Incineration will handle more than half of the MSW produced in China by the end of 2020, based on the Chinese 13th Five-Year Plan (2016–2020) [13]. Nevertheless, the waste-to-electricity efficiencies of conventional WtE incineration plants are relatively low, ranging from 14% to 28% [14], and the poor performance of a WtE plant is mainly caused by the limited steam parameters, small capacity, and simple steam cycle [15]. Much research has been devoted to improving the WtE process, chiefly including promoting steam parameters, decreasing exhaust gas heat loss, and a combination with other thermal systems. MSW contains high contents of Cl, S, Na, K, and other alkali metals, which can form HCl, sulfate, alkali metal salts, and other pollutants during the incineration, probably inducing severe corrosion and fouling in the boiler [16]. Thus, the live steam parameters of a WtE boiler are seriously restricted and generally around 4 MPa and 400 ◦C. Xu et al. [17] proposed a solution that uses phase-change materials-based refractory bricks on the water wall of a WtE boiler to raise the steam temperature. Bogalea et al. [18] described a design that divides the flue gas into two fractions, and the lower corrosive part is delivered to a separate superheater to enhance the steam parameters. Another approach to promote the steam temperature is employing a radiant superheater in the WtE boiler [19]. Besides, the reduction of the exhaust gas heat loss can be achieved through flue gas recirculation [20]; diminishing excess air [21]; and waste heat recovery, such as heating combustion air/feedwater [22], producing district heat [23], and driving an organic Rankine cycle [24]. Concerning system integration, Consonni et al. [25] and Poma et al. [26] discussed a hybrid WtE-gas turbine combined cycle scheme, where the steam yielded from the WtE boiler is further heated by the gas turbine exhaust gas and then enters into the steam turbine for power production. Mendecka et al. [27] presented a novel WtE design incorporated with a concentrating solar power system, in which the solar energy is harvested to superheat the live steam of the WtE boiler. Chen et al. [28] explored the integration of a WtE plant and a coal-fired power plant by feeding the heat acquired from the incineration into the steam cycle of the coal power section. However, little work has been published on integrating a WtE plant with a biomass-fired power plant based on the steam cycle incorporation, which may contribute to improving the waste-to-electricity efficiency. This paper proposed an innovative WtE design, which is combined with a biomass-fired power plant based on the steam cycle. In the integrated scheme, the superheated steam exported from the WtE section enters into the turbine of the biomass power section for producing electricity. Meanwhile, the combustion air of the WtE boiler absorbs energy from the feedwater extracted from the biomass power section and the saturated steam taken from the WtE boiler, and the biomass power section supplies feedwater for the WtE boiler. Consequently, the waste-to-electricity efficiency may gain significant improvement, and some equipment of the WtE plant can be saved, resulting in more revenues and lower costs. To check the feasibility of the novel concept, thermodynamic and economic evaluations were undertaken based on a 500-t/d WtE plant and a 35-MW biomass-fired power plant. Energy and exergy analyses were performed to investigate the root cause of efficiency enhancement. Additionally, the influence of the boiler loads on the performance of the new design was examined. Energies 2020, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 3 of 20 Energy and exergy analyses were performed to investigate the root cause of efficiency enhancement. Energies 2020, 13, 4345 3 of 20 Additionally, the influence of the boiler loads on the performance of the new design was examined. 2.2. ReferenceReference PlantsPlants andand ConceptConcept ProposalProposal 2.1.2.1. ReferenceReference WtEWtE PlantPlant AA typicaltypical WtEWtE plantplant withwith aa dailydaily disposaldisposal capacitycapacity ofof 500500 tt hashas beenbeen selectedselected forfor thethe casecase study,study, whichwhich isis sketchedsketched inin FigureFigure1 .1. The The feedwater feedwater enters enters into into the the WtE WtE boiler boiler as as a a working working fluid fluid and and is is heatedheated byby thethe flueflue gasgas generated generated fromfrom the the waste waste incineration. incineration. AfterAfter absorbingabsorbing thethe heatheat energyenergy inin thethe boiler,boiler, thethe yieldedyielded steamsteam flowsflows intointo the the turbine turbine for for power power production. production. TheThe exhaustexhaust gasgas ofof thethe WtEWtE boilerboiler isis dischargeddischarged afterafter thethe treatmenttreatment ofof thethe
Recommended publications
  • Energy Technology Perspectives 2020
    Energy Technology Perspectives 2020 A path for the decarbonisation of the buildings sector 14 December 2020 Page 1 Opening remarks Timur Gül Head, Energy Technology Policy Division, International Energy Agency (IEA) The IEA buildings technology work across four main deliverables Energy Technology Tracking clean energy Special Report on Clean Technology guide progress Perspectives Innovation Tracking Clean Energy Progress Assessing critical energy technologies for global clean energy transitions The IEA is unfolding a series of resources setting an ambitious pathway to reach the Paris Agreement and other Sustainable Development goals. Opening remarks Roland Hunziker Director, Sustainable Buildings and Cities, World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) Energy Technology Perspectives 2020 presentation Thibaut ABERGEL Chiara DELMASTRO Co-leads, Buildings Energy Technology, Energy Technology Policy Division, International Energy Agency (IEA) Commitment to net-zero emissions is globalising Share of energy-related CO2 emissions covered by national and supra-national public net-zero emissions targets as of 01st SeptemberDecember 20202020 Carbon or climate 100% 10 neutrality target 80% 8 No target 2 60% 6 Under discussion GtCO 40% 4 In policy document 20% 2 Proposed legislation 0% 0 In law Total emissions (right axis) Countries responsible for around 60% of global energy-related CO2 emissions have formulated net-zero emissions ambitions in laws, legislation, policy documents or official discussions. Source: IEA (2020),| Credit Energyphoto
    [Show full text]
  • Fuel Cells and Environmental, Energy, and Other Clean Energy Technologies…
    Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy U.S. Department of Energy Fuel Cell Technologies Program Nancy L. Garland, Ph.D. Technology Development Manager Fuel Cell Technologies Program Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy United States Department of Energy Washington, D.C. 18th WWorldo rld Hydrogen EnergyEnergy Conference 2010 Essen, Germany May 17, 2010 Advancing Presidential Priorities Energy efficiency and renewable energy research , development , and deployment activities help the U.S. meet its economic, energy security, and environmental challenges concurrently. Energy Security Economic • Deploy the cheapest, cleanest, • Create green jobs through fastest energy source – energy Recovery Act energy projects efficiency • Double renewable energy • One million plug-in hybrid cars generation by 2012 on the road by 2015 Presidential Priorities • Weatherize one million homes • Develop the next generation of annually sustainable biofuels and infrastructure • Increase fuel economy standards Environmental • Implement an economy-wide cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050 • Make the US a leader on climate change • Establish a national low carbon fuel standard U.S. DOE President’s National Objectives for DOE— Energy to Secure America’s Future • Quickly Implement the Economic Recovery Package: Create Millions of New Green Jobs and Lay the Foundation for the Future • Restore Science Leadership: Strengthen America ’s Role as the World Leader in Science and Technology • Reduce GHG Emissions: Drive emissions 20 Percent below 1990 levels by 2020 • Enhance Energy Security: Save More Oil than the U.S currently imports from the Middle East and Venezuela combined within 10 years • Enhance Nuclear Security: Strengthen non-proliferation activities, reduce global stockpiles of nuclear weapons, and maintain safety and reliability of the US stockpile First Principle: Pursue material and cost-effective measures with a sense of urgency From: Secretary Chu’s presentation on DOE Goal’s and Targets, 5/5/09 U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Drivers of Innovation in Energy and Fuel Cell Technology: Supply-Demand and R&D
    Drivers of Innovation in Energy and Fuel Cell Technology: Supply-Demand and R&D Madeline Woodruff IEA and Yukiko Fukasaku OECD 1 Overview Q Drivers of energy technology innovation – Sustained increase in demand – Diversification of sources of fossil fuel supply due to growing security and economic concerns – Fuel switching and development of new fuels due to efficiency and environmental concerns – De-regulation and increasing competition Q Increasing importance of R&D and technological innovation Q How the energy innovation system works Q Focus on fuel cells 2 Part I Supply, Demand, and Investment Trends Role of Fuel Cells in the Energy System 3 4 Today’s Energy Reference Word Primary Energy Demand Challenges 6,000 WEO 2002 Oil Q Energy security to fuel economic 5,000 growth and mobility Gas 4,000 and Coal 3,000 curbing environmental and climate Nuclear damage from energy use 2,000 Hydro 1,000 Other – “business as usual” energy renewables demand is rising inexorably 0 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 – greenhouse gas emissions also – stronger policies stabilize OECD emissions only after 2020. Reference Energy-Related CO2 Emissions WEO 2002 Q Access to modern energy for all – 1.6 billion people have no access 45000 to electricity, 80% of them in 40000 World South Asia and sub-Saharan 35000 30000 OECD Africa 25000 Transition 20000 Q Lower costs in deregulated Economies 15000 markets; infrastructure stresses Developing 10000 Million Tonnes CO2 Tonnes Million Countries 5000 0 1971 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 5 Renewables Growing Fast, but From
    [Show full text]
  • Wind Energy Technology Data Update: 2020 Edition
    Wind Energy Technology Data Update: 2020 Edition Ryan Wiser1, Mark Bolinger1, Ben Hoen, Dev Millstein, Joe Rand, Galen Barbose, Naïm Darghouth, Will Gorman, Seongeun Jeong, Andrew Mills, Ben Paulos Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory 1 Corresponding authors August 2020 This work was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Wind Energy Technologies Office, under Contract No. DE-AC02-05CH11231. The views and opinions of the authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof, or The Regents of the University of California. Photo source: National Renewable Energy Laboratory ENERGY T ECHNOLOGIES AREA ENERGY ANALYSISAND ENVIRONMENTAL I MPACTS DIVISION ELECTRICITY M ARKETS & POLICY Disclaimer This document was prepared as an account of work sponsored by the United States Government. While this document is believed to contain correct information, neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor The Regents of the University of California, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by its trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof, or The Regents of the University of California. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof, or The Regents of the University of California.
    [Show full text]
  • Energy Technology Innovation Leadership in the 21St Century
    ENERGY TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION LEADERSHIP IN THE 21ST CENTURY Hal Harvey, Jeffrey Rissman, and Sonia Aggarwal Technicians work on a 3-megawatt Alstom wind turbine and a 1.5-megawatt GE wind turbine at the National Wind Technology Center, the nation's premier wind energy technology research facility. www.energyinnovation.org EXECUTIVE SUMMARY A rich array of new energy options is a critical foundation for enduring prosperity, energy security, and the protection of the environment and public health. Smart policy can fill the pipeline with many energy technology options, bring the best of these options to market, and unleash the full power of the private sector in driving down their prices. Energy is profoundly a technology business, so it pays to understand which policies work best at stimulating energy technology innovation. This paper unpacks innovation—from risky science, with only distant potential for application, to the intense work of commercialization, wherein companies drive down costs, increase performance, and learn to deliver reliable products. To understand the set of needed policies, this paper divides innovation into three stages: research, engineering, and commercialization. It then examines which tools and practices work best for each stage. Research is by definition a risky business, and some projects will inevitably fail. However, well- managed research can deliver a far higher fraction of success than a piecemeal approach. For the research stage, four principals rise to the top: 1. Concentrate resources in innovation hubs; 2. Use peer review to select promising research domains that support explicit policy goals; 3. Ensure that policies intended to incentivize R&D are stable and predictable over the long time horizons (~10 years) necessary for R&D investment and technology development; 4.
    [Show full text]
  • Modeling Regulation of Economic Sustainability in Energy Systems with Diversified Resources
    Article Modeling Regulation of Economic Sustainability in Energy Systems with Diversified Resources Anatoly Alabugin and Sergei Aliukov * Higher School of Economics and Management, South Ural State University, Prospekt Lenina, 454080 Chelyabinsk, Russia; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] Abstract: The imperfection of theoretical and methodological approaches to regulate the jump process transition when combining differentiated energy resources is a pressing issue. The goal of this paper is to develop a theory and a method to regulate the integration-balancing processes of combining diversified resources. The concept of combining integration and balancing models has been substantiated by methods of transforming multidimensional space and approximating generalized functions that represent jump-like processes. Theoretical and operational-regulatory models of economic sustainability have been developed, substantiating new concepts, patterns, prop- erties, dependencies and indicators of the dynamics of the processes of combination; the optimality conditions for the number of approximations of generalized functions, interpreting the effects of control functions of combining resources, are thus determined. New methods for solving problems have been developed: the organization of the energy technology complex of facilities for enhanced resource diversification and the Sustainable Development Center, improving the quality of managing dynamic processes in terms of combining and diversifying resources. Emphasis is placed on four
    [Show full text]
  • Innovation Insights Brief | 2020
    FIVE STEPS TO ENERGY STORAGE Innovation Insights Brief | 2020 In collaboration with the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) ABOUT THE WORLD ENERGY COUNCIL ABOUT THIS INSIGHTS BRIEF The World Energy Council is the principal impartial This Innovation Insights brief on energy storage is part network of energy leaders and practitioners promoting of a series of publications by the World Energy Council an affordable, stable and environmentally sensitive focused on Innovation. In a fast-paced era of disruptive energy system for the greatest benefit of all. changes, this brief aims at facilitating strategic sharing of knowledge between the Council’s members and the Formed in 1923, the Council is the premiere global other energy stakeholders and policy shapers. energy body, representing the entire energy spectrum, with over 3,000 member organisations in over 90 countries, drawn from governments, private and state corporations, academia, NGOs and energy stakeholders. We inform global, regional and national energy strategies by hosting high-level events including the World Energy Congress and publishing authoritative studies, and work through our extensive member network to facilitate the world’s energy policy dialogue. Further details at www.worldenergy.org and @WECouncil Published by the World Energy Council 2020 Copyright © 2020 World Energy Council. All rights reserved. All or part of this publication may be used or reproduced as long as the following citation is included on each copy or transmission: ‘Used by permission of the World
    [Show full text]
  • Science for Energy Technology: Strengthening the Link Between Basic Research and Industry
    ďŽƵƚƚŚĞĞƉĂƌƚŵĞŶƚŽĨŶĞƌŐLJ͛ƐĂƐŝĐŶĞƌŐLJ^ĐŝĞŶĐĞƐWƌŽŐƌĂŵ ĂƐŝĐŶĞƌŐLJ^ĐŝĞŶĐĞƐ;^ͿƐƵƉƉŽƌƚƐĨƵŶĚĂŵĞŶƚĂůƌĞƐĞĂƌĐŚƚŽƵŶĚĞƌƐƚĂŶĚ͕ƉƌĞĚŝĐƚ͕ĂŶĚƵůƟŵĂƚĞůLJĐŽŶƚƌŽů ŵĂƩĞƌĂŶĚĞŶĞƌŐLJĂƚƚŚĞĞůĞĐƚƌŽŶŝĐ͕ĂƚŽŵŝĐ͕ĂŶĚŵŽůĞĐƵůĂƌůĞǀĞůƐ͘dŚŝƐƌĞƐĞĂƌĐŚƉƌŽǀŝĚĞƐƚŚĞĨŽƵŶĚĂƟŽŶƐ ĨŽƌŶĞǁĞŶĞƌŐLJƚĞĐŚŶŽůŽŐŝĞƐĂŶĚƐƵƉƉŽƌƚƐKŵŝƐƐŝŽŶƐŝŶĞŶĞƌŐLJ͕ĞŶǀŝƌŽŶŵĞŶƚ͕ĂŶĚŶĂƟŽŶĂůƐĞĐƵƌŝƚLJ͘dŚĞ ^ƉƌŽŐƌĂŵĂůƐŽƉůĂŶƐ͕ĐŽŶƐƚƌƵĐƚƐ͕ĂŶĚŽƉĞƌĂƚĞƐŵĂũŽƌƐĐŝĞŶƟĮĐƵƐĞƌĨĂĐŝůŝƟĞƐƚŽƐĞƌǀĞƌĞƐĞĂƌĐŚĞƌƐĨƌŽŵ ƵŶŝǀĞƌƐŝƟĞƐ͕ŶĂƟŽŶĂůůĂďŽƌĂƚŽƌŝĞƐ͕ĂŶĚƉƌŝǀĂƚĞŝŶƐƟƚƵƟŽŶƐ͘ ďŽƵƚƚŚĞ͞ĂƐŝĐZĞƐĞĂƌĐŚEĞĞĚƐ͟ZĞƉŽƌƚ^ĞƌŝĞƐ KǀĞƌƚŚĞƉĂƐƚĞŝŐŚƚLJĞĂƌƐ͕ƚŚĞĂƐŝĐŶĞƌŐLJ^ĐŝĞŶĐĞƐĚǀŝƐŽƌLJŽŵŵŝƩĞĞ;^ͿĂŶĚ^ŚĂǀĞĞŶŐĂŐĞĚ ƚŚŽƵƐĂŶĚƐŽĨƐĐŝĞŶƟƐƚƐĨƌŽŵĂĐĂĚĞŵŝĂ͕ŶĂƟŽŶĂůůĂďŽƌĂƚŽƌŝĞƐ͕ĂŶĚŝŶĚƵƐƚƌLJĨƌŽŵĂƌŽƵŶĚƚŚĞǁŽƌůĚƚŽƐƚƵĚLJ ƚŚĞĐƵƌƌĞŶƚƐƚĂƚƵƐ͕ůŝŵŝƟŶŐĨĂĐƚŽƌƐ͕ĂŶĚƐƉĞĐŝĮĐĨƵŶĚĂŵĞŶƚĂůƐĐŝĞŶƟĮĐďŽƩůĞŶĞĐŬƐďůŽĐŬŝŶŐƚŚĞǁŝĚĞƐƉƌĞĂĚ ŝŵƉůĞŵĞŶƚĂƟŽŶŽĨĂůƚĞƌŶĂƚĞĞŶĞƌŐLJƚĞĐŚŶŽůŽŐŝĞƐ͘dŚĞƌĞƉŽƌƚƐĨƌŽŵƚŚĞĨŽƵŶĚĂƟŽŶĂůĂƐŝĐZĞƐĞĂƌĐŚEĞĞĚƐƚŽ ƐƐƵƌĞĂ^ĞĐƵƌĞŶĞƌŐLJ&ƵƚƵƌĞǁŽƌŬƐŚŽƉ͕ƚŚĞĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐƚĞŶ͞ĂƐŝĐZĞƐĞĂƌĐŚEĞĞĚƐ͟ǁŽƌŬƐŚŽƉƐ͕ƚŚĞƉĂŶĞůŽŶ 'ƌĂŶĚŚĂůůĞŶŐĞƐĐŝĞŶĐĞ͕ĂŶĚƚŚĞƐƵŵŵĂƌLJƌĞƉŽƌƚEĞǁ^ĐŝĞŶĐĞĨŽƌĂ^ĞĐƵƌĞĂŶĚ^ƵƐƚĂŝŶĂďůĞŶĞƌŐLJ&ƵƚƵƌĞ ĚĞƚĂŝůƚŚĞŬĞLJďĂƐŝĐƌĞƐĞĂƌĐŚŶĞĞĚĞĚƚŽĐƌĞĂƚĞƐƵƐƚĂŝŶĂďůĞ͕ůŽǁĐĂƌďŽŶĞŶĞƌŐLJƚĞĐŚŶŽůŽŐŝĞƐŽĨƚŚĞĨƵƚƵƌĞ͘dŚĞƐĞ ƌĞƉŽƌƚƐŚĂǀĞďĞĐŽŵĞƐƚĂŶĚĂƌĚƌĞĨĞƌĞŶĐĞƐŝŶƚŚĞƐĐŝĞŶƟĮĐĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƚLJĂŶĚŚĂǀĞŚĞůƉĞĚƐŚĂƉĞƚŚĞƐƚƌĂƚĞŐŝĐ ĚŝƌĞĐƟŽŶƐŽĨƚŚĞ^ͲĨƵŶĚĞĚƉƌŽŐƌĂŵƐ͘;ŚƩƉ͗ͬͬǁǁǁ͘ƐĐ͘ĚŽĞ͘ŐŽǀͬďĞƐͬƌĞƉŽƌƚƐͬůŝƐƚ͘ŚƚŵůͿ ϭ ^ĐŝĞŶĐĞĨŽƌŶĞƌŐLJdĞĐŚŶŽůŽŐLJ͗^ƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶŝŶŐƚŚĞ>ŝŶŬďĞƚǁĞĞŶĂƐŝĐZĞƐĞĂƌĐŚĂŶĚ/ŶĚƵƐƚƌLJ Ϯ EĞǁ^ĐŝĞŶĐĞĨŽƌĂ^ĞĐƵƌĞĂŶĚ^ƵƐƚĂŝŶĂďůĞŶĞƌŐLJ&ƵƚƵƌĞ ϯ ŝƌĞĐƟŶŐDĂƩĞƌĂŶĚŶĞƌŐLJ͗&ŝǀĞŚĂůůĞŶŐĞƐĨŽƌ^ĐŝĞŶĐĞĂŶĚƚŚĞ/ŵĂŐŝŶĂƟŽŶ ϰ ĂƐŝĐZĞƐĞĂƌĐŚEĞĞĚƐĨŽƌDĂƚĞƌŝĂůƐƵŶĚĞƌdžƚƌĞŵĞŶǀŝƌŽŶŵĞŶƚƐ ϱ ĂƐŝĐZĞƐĞĂƌĐŚEĞĞĚƐ͗ĂƚĂůLJƐŝƐĨŽƌŶĞƌŐLJ
    [Show full text]
  • Exploring Regional Opportunities in the U.S. for Clean Energy Technology Innovation Volume 1
    About the Cover The images on the cover represent regional capabilities and resources of energy technology innovation across the United States from nuclear energy to solar and photovoltaics, and smart grid electricity to clean coal and carbon capture. Disclaimer This volume is one of two volumes and was written by the Department of Energy. This volume summarizes the results of university-hosted regional forums on regional clean energy technology innovation. The report draws on the proceedings and reports produced by the universities noted in Volume 2 for some of its content; as a result, the views expressed do not necessarily represent the views of the Department or the Administration. Neither the United States government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States government or any agency thereof. Message from the Secretary of Energy The U.S. Department of Energy (Department or DOE) is pleased to present this report, Exploring Regional Opportunities in the U.S. for Clean Energy Technology Innovation. The report represents DOE’s summary of the insights gained through fourteen university-hosted workshop events held nationwide during the spring and summer of 2016. These events brought together members of Congress, governors, other federal, state, tribal, and local officials, academic leaders, private sector energy leaders, DOE officials, and other stakeholders from economic development organizations and nongovernmental organizations to examine clean energy technology innovation from a regional perspective.
    [Show full text]
  • Thermophotovoltaic Energy in Space Applications: Review and Future Potential A
    Thermophotovoltaic energy in space applications: Review and future potential A. Datas , A. Marti ABSTRACT This article reviews the state of the art and historical development of thermophotovoltaic (TPV) energy conversion along with that of the main competing technologies, i.e. Stirling, Brayton, thermoelectrics, and thermionics, in the field of space power generation. Main advantages of TPV are the high efficiency, the absence of moving parts, and the fact that it directly generates DC power. The main drawbacks are the unproven reliability and the low rejection temperature, which makes necessary the use of relatively large radiators. This limits the usefulness of TPV to small/medium power applications (100 We-class) that includes radioisotope (RTPV) and small solar thermal (STPV) generators. In this article, next generation TPV concepts are also revisited in order to explore their potential in future space power applications. Among them, multiband TPV cells are found to be the most promising in the short term because of their higher conversion efficiencies at lower emitter temperatures; thus significantly reducing the amount of rejected heat and the required radiator mass. 1. Introduction into electricity. A few of them enable a direct conversion process (e.g. PV and fuel cells), but the majority require the intermediate generation A number of technological options exist for power generation in of heat, which is subsequently converted into electricity by a heat space, which are selected depending on the mission duration and the engine. Thus, many kinds of heat engines have been developed within electric power requirements. For very short missions, chemical energy the frame of international space power R&D programs.
    [Show full text]
  • Historical Case Studies of Energy Technology Innovation
    Page 1 of 13 Historical Case Studies of Energy Technology Innovation CASE STUDY 1: ENERGY TRANSITIONS. GRAND DESIGNS: HISTORICAL PATTERNS AND FUTURE SCENARIOS OF ENERGY TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE Arnulf Grubler International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis Yale University AUTHORS’ SUMMARY The case study reviews patterns, drivers, and typical dynamics (rates of change) in energy systems from a historical as well as futures (scenario) perspective. From a historical perspective, two major energy transitions, each of which took up to a century to unfold, can be identified: the phase of growth in coal‐ fired steam power, and its subsequent displacement by oil and electricity‐related end‐uses and technologies. Similar far‐reaching future transitions are also described in the scenario literature as a function of alternative assumptions on rates and direction of inventive activities and performance and cost improvements of new energy technologies. If referencing this chapter, please cite: Grubler, A. (2012). Grand Designs: Historical Patterns and Future Scenarios of Energy Technological Change. Historical Case Studies of Energy Technology Innovation in: Chapter 24, The Global Energy Assessment. Grubler A., Aguayo, F., Gallagher, K.S., Hekkert, M., Jiang, K., Mytelka, L., Neij, L., Nemet, G. & C. Wilson. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UK. Page 2 of 13 1 INTRODUCTION Technological and congruent institutional and social change is widely recognized as the main driver of long‐run economic growth ever since Solow (1957), and of development in general (Freeman and Perez, 1988). In terms of causality, technology and institutional/social settings co‐evolve, mutually depending on, mutually cross‐enhancing each other. Reality is a far cry away from simplistic, extreme notions of "technological determinism" (technology acting as main agent of change) or "social construction" perspectives (in which the technological landscape is perceived as mere outcome of the shaping of social forces or of class struggle).
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter 4: Advancing Clean Electric Power Technologies September 2015 Clean Power
    QUADRENNIAL TECHNOLOGY REVIEW AN ASSESSMENT OF ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES AND RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES Chapter 4: Advancing Clean Electric Power Technologies September 2015 Clean Power 4 Advancing Clean Electric Power Technologies Issues and RDD&D Opportunities Electric power generation technologies are maturing to a new level of integration and interdependence that requires an expanded system approach and a global view to optimize integration, minimize risks, and maintain reasonable costs. There is potential in each of the technologies: more efficient coal and natural gas generation with carbon capture; advanced nuclear reactors; rapidly advancing renewable technologies, such as wind and solar; and developing technologies, such as fuel cell and marine hydrokinetic power. Common component developments offer opportunities for breakthroughs: advances in high temperature and pressure steam turbines, new supercritical carbon dioxide power cycles, hybrid systems matching renewables with nuclear or fossil, and energy storage. Advanced capabilities in materials, computing, and manufacturing can significantly improve electric power technologies cost and performance. A systems approach for the power sector (as described in Chapter 3) also enables innovation at the technology level, such as by identifying key characteristics needed in supply technologies to meet the changing requirements of the grid, including such factors as cost, efficiency, emissions, ramping rates, turn-down ratios, water use, and others. These can be approached through multivariable portfolio analysis. International cooperation greatly expands the collective research, development, demonstration, and deployment (RDD&D) investment in clean power technologies by governments and industry, accelerating the successful completion of demonstrations and full commercial deployment. Quadrennial Technology Review Advancing Clean Electric Power 4 Technologies 4.1 Introduction Clean electric power is paramount to today’s mission to meet our interdependent security, economic, and environmental goals.
    [Show full text]